“The amount of change on the power unit for this year is quite considerable and driven by a number of requirements.

“The biggest challenge we’ve got is lifting our durability limit with the challenge of racing just three engines per driver per championship and two ERS systems. That’s a 40 per cent increase in the distance that the hardware needs to do for this year compared with last year. We focused on trying to increase the life of the hardware without losing performance. “

Earlier this season, Leo Turrini, a journalist known for being close to Ferrari, says the Maranello team is also knocking on the door of 1000hp for 2018.

Weight trimming battles

Turrini wrote in his Quotidiano blog: “A huge effort has been made to put the power unit on a diet.

“One of Mercedes’ advantages was the lower weight of the overall package, but Ferrari has been successful in its mission.

Turrini claimed: “On the test bench, 1000hp has already been seen at maximum peak power.

“Even if Mercedes has already been there.”

Turrini thinks Ferrari will have a good chance of taking on Mercedes on equal terms in 2018.